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Madrid Universal

·25 July 2026

Madrid Universal

·25 July 2026

Real Madrid moved one more step into Jose Mourinho’s pre-season plans by playing their first training match of the summer against Alcorcon.

There was clear interest in seeing how the Portuguese tactician would organise his side, along with a wish to spot the early signs and patterns taking shape.

As per MARCA, the afternoon at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium offered fans an initial view of Mourinho’s approach, his coaching staff and the first tactical ideas emerging ahead of the new season.

The session began with fitness work jointly led by Antonio Pintus and Antonio Dias, Mourinho’s long-serving fitness coach.

Los Blancos players have had so many injuries in recent seasons, and the hope is that this partnership will help them move past some of those problems.

Once the warm-up was done, the players went into rondos under assistant coach Joao Tralhao before Mourinho became more directly involved during the practice match.

Real Madrid got a 1-0 win over Alcorcon. (Picture credit: Instagram/@realmadrid)

The Portuguese coach’s first starting XI had Andriy Lunin in goal, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Raul Asencio, Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras in defence, Eduardo Camavinga, Cestero and Arda Guler in midfield, and Franco Mastantuono, Gonzalo Garcia and academy striker Gabri Valero leading the attack.

The most eye-catching player was Mastantuono, who looked sharp and full of energy through the opening period.

The Argentine earned an early penalty with a direct run, although Arda Guler could not score from the spot as Madrid’s penalty issues continued.

At a time when Mastantuono’s future at the club remains uncertain and a loan move may be possible, this was a significant showing from the Argentine youngster.

The game finally ended 1-0 in Madrid’s favour after Daniel Yanez converted a later penalty.

Trent Alexander-Arnold started under Mourinho. (Picture credit: Instagram/@realmadrid)

The first-team players completed around 70 minutes before the youth-team players came on for the rest of the session.

Away from the pitch, Federico Valverde, Rodrygo and Eder Militao observed from the stands as they carried on with their own preparations, while Ferland Mendy is still in recovery along with Militao and Rodrygo.

Pre-season training matches are never the stage for firm conclusions, but they often offer helpful signs about a coach’s priorities.

Mastantuono’s confidence, the presence of several Castilla prospects and Mourinho’s readiness to try different things were all there to see.

Clearly, some of this will change once the World Cup stars begin coming back into the squad, but Mourinho’s Madrid have made a winning start and, for the moment, that is worth something.